Garland City prepares to open its first public library

GARLAND CITY, Ark. - Garland City is finally getting its first public library.

Communities Unlimited is partnering with the city to build the new library inside the community center.

“Sometimes I do know that they feel a little left out and overlooked. So, you know something that is as little as a library or fixing a community center is really big for them,” said DeAnna O'Malley, Communities Unlimited field operations director.

O’Malley believes the small library can have a big impact on the community.

“To have a building like this, it's got a playground right outside that's going to have a library and a computer lab in it. It's got a really nice commercial-sized kitchen behind us. It's going to put them ahead of so many small rural communities,” said O’Malley.

The project is being paid for with grant funds provided by the "Trust for Civic Life" initiative.

“It started because of a hole that they had in the roof, and they have an insurance claim. So, they're going through the process right now of getting the building prepared to have the roof, which means the ceilings are going to be done. There is some damage to the floor. So, the floor is going to be repaired,” said O’Malley.

More than 1,300 books have already been donated to the new library.

O’Malley believes the new space will create lasting benefits for residents by expanding access to knowledge, strengthening community ties, and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.

“You can come here and apply for a job, you know, play bingo at nighttime, have a potluck community supper, you know, ice cream social, all those fun things that a lot of us from bigger cities take advantage of. Now they're going to be able to have in their own backyard,” said O’Malley.

Construction on the new library and community center is expected to be completed by late August.